ADHD and the new SEN Code

The new SEN Code of Practice and the introduction of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) advocate a model of integrated children’s services and improved inter-agency collaboration to support children with learning difficulties.

The question of implementation and a new culture of schools as commissioners of targeted support from other agencies, suggest there are significant challenges ahead.

Poor behaviour, often associated with ADHD, while finally included in the Code of Practice, is potentially problematic.

ADHD does not correlate with low intelligence and addressing the mental health needs of such children is crucial in understanding their under-achievement.

Cessation of School Action and School Action Plus are designed to prevent poor behaviour being categorised as SEN. The problem with this is that schools are often too slow in identifying children with learning difficulties.